Showing posts with label UK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK. Show all posts

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Travel Essentials | Beauty, Fashion and More!

I haven't been abroad in years, the last time I went I was around 6 or 7 so that's over 10 years ago which makes me a little sad. Unfortunately i'm not going abroad this year as much as I would've hoped, I'm hoping to go next year with my friends. However, on Friday i'm lucky enough to be travelling down to South West England and in particular South Devon for the week- which is just a tad exciting as it's always nice to get out of your hometown and explore somewhere else.

As i'm not going abroad this isn't going to be an 'in-flight travel essentials' which seem to be pretty popular, but I just thought i'd share my essentials as a whole for a short break within the UK. Also, just a side note, i'm not going to mention the obvious like a toothbrush so just so you know, I will be packing that but the more obvious ones won't be mentioned.

The Basics
Money- Of course you're going to need money when you get there but you could also on route. There always seems to be somebody who cannot wait to go to the toilet and insists you stop at the services, so that of course means getting out and popping to the shop to pick up a snack for your journey! There is also a possibility of a toll bridge, I know you have to pay to get into Wales so perhaps keep that in mind also!

Tissues- These are always handy, I always carry tissue around whether that's in my bag or jacket pocket. You've spilt something? Here's a tissue. Hayfever? Here's a tissue. And of course, public toilets- better to be safe than sorry!

Painkillers- We all hope not to get sick when travelling, or at anytime for that matter. So again, better to be safe than sorry always carry some form of medicine with you- painkillers are compact and are a huge relief when you've got a headache that wont shift or worse, period pains.

Beauty
SPF- Yes, even in the UK. You should wear some form of SPF all year round whether that's in your makeup or apply it separately. As it's going to be warmer during the summer months, it's likely you'll have your arms or even your legs out and when the sun decides to make an appearance you don't want to be caught short, burn and cause damage your skin.

Mini Deodorant-  I always carry some form of deodorant/body spray/perfume around with me as you never know when you're going to break a sweat and I can't think of anything worse than smelling of B.O. (there probably are worse things but still).

Minis- I love the aisle of Boots where all the dinky sized products are, they're so cute but obviously are designed for travelling. I usually go and buy the basic essentials in mini sizes such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash, deodorant and toothpaste but to save money I also like to decant products into the small travel size refillable bottles/pots, especially my skincare and some makeup bits.

Clothing
T-Shirt Dress- I love T-Shirt dresses as they're super comfortable and casual worn with leggings and Converse or skater shoes but they can also be dressed up a little with tights and flats or if you fancy, heels.

Sunglasses- Again, yes even in the UK. Not only do they protect your eyes from the rays but are also great for putting on when you've got little or no makeup on and look half asleep, woo!

Scarf- Perfect for the evenings when it gets a little chilly, there's nothing worse than being cold and having to suffer while shivering. They also make a good blanket too, which could be ideal on a plane or just to get comfy in the car while travelling. I love a good blanket scarf!

Rain Jacket- You'll probably need this in the UK when the weather is having mood swings, raining one minute, sunny the next. This can be kept in your bag as they're so light but I know you can also get macs in a bag which are super compact so there's no excuse to moan when it rains and you don't have a jacket.

Entertainment
Tablet- I tend to download games on to here for when I don't have WiFi but when I do, I shall be catching up on my bloglovin feed and Instagram. This can also be used like a Kindle, though I don't read a lot but if you do this could be your best friend while travelling.

Chargers- There's nothing worse than forgetting the chargers for your devices. I forgot my phone charger once but thankfully I could use my brothers as it was the same as mine. Pop your wires in a little pouch so they don't get too tangled in your bag and hopefully having a cute pouch while help you not to forget them!

Earphones- Definitely need these to listen to your own music rather than music your Dad has chosen. My family have completely different music tastes so it'd be a little painful to forget them while travelling!

A magazine- Or multiple! I rarely read magazines unless it's the Boots one. FYI they're free with your advantage card or £1, if you didn't know! Long journeys in the car are a perfect excuse for me to pick up a few magazines, these can also be reading material when you're just hanging out at your accommodation or better still, at the poolside! 

And that's a run through of my travel essentials! As I said i'm going away on Friday but I've scheduled posts for next week so I shall update you on Instagram when they're live, so make sure you're following me: @xtracesofmythoughts to keep up to date.
You can also follow me on bloglovin to be notified when I post, you can click the button to the right of my blog which will take you straight to it!

What are your travel essentials?

♥   ♥   ♥

Sunday, 19 July 2015

Summer Clothing Wish List | Topshop, ASOS, New Look and More!

You know a week or so ago the UK were experiencing a heatwave? Well the warmer weather got me browsing online for summer clothes as I don't own many pieces suitable for the warmer weather. Today I thought i'd share with you ten pieces I've got my eye on ranging from denim basics to tasseled accessories. Apparently I like a lot of blue and tan at the moment also!



1. Button Front Denim A-Line Skirt- Topshop £28.00
These skirts are everywhere at the minute and I can understand why. They're classic, casual and will suit a range of body shapes. I love this colour denim too!


2. Camel Felt Floppy Hat- Topshop £28.00
These are also very in at the moment. I love how floppy hats can make an outfit look well put together but also can be very handy for shading your face from the sun and preventing you from overheating. I think this camel colour could take you right through to the Autumn also so you'll get your moneys worth.

3. Mid Blue Ripped Jeans- Topshop £42.00
Another Topshop Denim piece but how nice are these jeans!? I've not owned ripped jeans before and i'm not sure I could pull them off but I love these, especially the colour! I've heard the Jamie jeans are supposed to be really comfortable and keep their shape also.

This bag looks perfect for festivals. I'm not going to one this year unfortunately but if I was, i'd definitely be taking this one. Tassels and fringing just remind me of summer festivals and I think this would be perfect with the sandals I mentioned previously.


5. Cold Shoulder Frill Vest- George @ Asda £14.00
I saw this vest in store when doing the food shop with my mum, I know- i'm cool right? It was such a lovely blue colour and I regret not picking it up now. I think i'll have to go back for this as I think it'll be ideal to just throw on with jeans and sandals and then you're ready to go. This actually comes with a long statement necklace which is nice but I believe it can be removed also.


6. Rust Suedette Cami- New Look £9.99
Suede is really in at the minute and I think it will be this Autumn too. I love how easy these camis are to throw on with jeans, although they can also be tucked into skirts and shorts this summer. This is a little different to your typical chiffon cami and I think it would be good for layering in the Autumn. 


7. Round Tortoiseshell Sunglasses- Anthropologie £24.95
I love tortoiseshell. I have a similar pair of sunglasses to these, they're just a little thicker and black and I love wearing them. You can never have too many sunglasses, well you probably could but two pairs wouldn't hurt eh? I'd really like these but i'm sure i'll be able to find a pair very similar in Primark for under a fiver.


This is so pretty, similar to the denim one I mentioned previously but I think this would be more appropriate for work and occasions where you have to be a little more dressy. Don't get me wrong this would be lovely worn casually also! I love the scallop hem as it's something a little different. 

9. Suede Fringed Sandals- ASOS £25.00
I love these. I actually had some similar from H&M a few years ago and I've worn them to death. I need a pair of tan suede fringed sandals back in my life so these would be perfect. These look super comfortable too!

10. Leather Fringed Trim Loafers- New Look £29.99
I love how smart/casual loafers can be. I especially like these pointed cream ones from New Look and I think they'd look great with the majority of items I've mentioned previously. Ooh these would be very pretty office attire too!

And that's my summer wish list! I'm sure lots of this I wont be getting but that's why it's a wish list. I can dream, haha!

What's on your current wish list?
Let me know in the comments below!

♥   ♥   ♥

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

I'm Almost 18!? | Aims, Resolutions, Onwards and Upwards

I cannot believe how fast the year between turning 17 and now 18 has gone, it feels like my childhood and the majority of my teenage years have swept by without me even realising and now I'm just a few days off turning 18, i'm a little scared but excited.

Then and now
Left: I was about 6/7 looking very pleased with my ladybird face paint at the zoo, posing while my dad holds my fringe back- haha! (Ps. nice beard Dad)
Right: Looking slightly moody just a few weeks ago, oops!

 I honestly did not imagine my 17th year to be like this- it hasn't been bad, it's just I imagined being in a part-time job somewhere in fashion retail that I enjoyed therefore I would be able to afford the cost of learning to drive, paying for insurance and looking for a car. If I'm completely honest that's far from realistic now I've realised. It's hard to find a part-time job, let alone one you enjoy and in my current situation it certainly isn't fees able to learn to drive, pay for insurance and run the car.

I feel as though this post so far has just been me moaning, but I'm really not because my 17th year hasn't been all that bad.

1. I'm enjoying my current studies.

2. I'm making choices to please myself not anybody else.

3. I'm happy.


Turning 18 is pretty daunting, it's when you're now classed as an adult, something you've probably been wanting since you're about 13. As cringe as it sounds, I'd really like to make my 18th year- 'My Year'.
Here are more than a few things I'd like to accomplish...

1. To try my hardest at college and achieve the highest possible grade ready to take me into employment.

2. Find a job working with children that I love.

3. Make a conscious effort to spend more time with my whole family.

4. Meet new people.

5. Travel. Whether that be around my area, in the UK or abroad.

6. Start learning to drive, hopefully when I've got a steady income.

7. Catch up with friends more often.

8. Experiment more. Food, clothes, hair, makeup the lot.

9. Achieve.

10. Be happy.

I may not achieve all these but I certainly will try, i'm determined to make each of the things I've mentioned happen. Anyway, i'm off to London with a couple of the girls to celebrate my 18th, we're going to do some shopping, sight seeing, eating and laughing! I'll see you when I get back and when i'm 18! Look out for my Birthday/London Haul in the next week..

Let me know what you'd like to achieve this year?

Until next time,

♥   ♥   ♥

Saturday, 4 October 2014

A Drugstore Primer | Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

Hello!
Apologies for my absence recently, college, work and applying for uni have definitely got on top of me!
Today I thought i'd give a first impressions review on a primer I picked up recently when in Bath, at Morrisons of all places! I'd heard good things about this primer and as i'm not going for the fully matte look I opted for this, only £4.99 at Morrisons as they had an offer on all Rimmel products reduced to under £5!



This primer is completely colourless so you wont have to worry about it matching your skin tone which is always a bonus! It has a cream-like texture and is easy to apply all over the face after moisturiser and before makeup, although it states you can use it alone too.
While I can't vouch for the length of time this primer lasts as I haven't truly tested it yet for a full-days wear, but it definitely preps the skin ready for foundation by smoothing and as the packaging says 'resurfacing' the skin. The scent is light and non-offensive which I like when I have to apply a product all-over my face, though I mainly focus on my T-Zone as that's where my makeup tends to slide.


So far, so good! I love how smooth my skin feels before applying foundation and I believe its helping my makeup to sit in place for a lot longer, but as I said- I haven't properly tested it for its wear, so i'll update you at a later date! At only £4.99 you can't go wrong, and even better I've found it for £2.99 at Fragrance Direct, such a steal! 

Do you use primer? Can you recommend any drugstore primers?
Comment below, i'd love to know!

That's all for now, 

Amy X